WTTC Calls for Calm on Influenza A Outbreak

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, the World Travel & Tourism Council’s president and CEO, said his organization is monitoring the influenza A situation as it develops, together with –and on behalf of- its members, and is in close contact with the World Health Organization (WHO), which is co-coordinating the global response and assessing the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic.

“For the time being at least,” Baumgarten said, “although the situation is evolving rapidly, WHO advises no restriction of regular travel, nor closure of borders. But it does consider it prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.”

Baumgarten stressed “that the level of preparedness for such a pandemic within the travel industry is much better than most people realize, since mechanisms to deal with global health risks have been stepped up considerably since SARS and avian flu last tested the resilience of the travel and tourism industry. The situation is admittedly one causing serious concern, and the industry must act responsibly, but there is no need for panic.”